Which basketball legend, originally Lew Alcindor, is a central figure in race, sports, and activism and participated in the Cleveland Summit?

• A. Bill Russell
• B. Wilt Chamberlain
• C. Lew Alcindor/Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
• D. Magic Johnson

Answer: (C)

Athletes can be powerful voices for social change, using their visibility to push for racial justice and equality. The Cleveland Summit in 1967 brought together prominent Black sports figures to publicly support Muhammad Ali and address issues of race and civil rights, showing how sports and activism intersect.

Among those present was Lew Alcindor, who would later change his name to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. His participation links the legend of a basketball star with a long history of activism, fitting the description of a central figure in race, sports, and activism who took part in the Summit. While other athletes have also been activists, the clue specifically points to the person who was known as Lew Alcindor at the time and who joined the Cleveland Summit, which is Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.